Siemens Foundation And Discovery Education Name The Country's Best And Brightest Students As Winners Of The 2013 Siemens We Can Change The World Challenge

ISELIN, N.J., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), and the College Board announced today the grand prize winners of the fifth annual Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, the nation's premier national environmental sustainability challenge that provides K-12 students the tools and inspiration to improve their schools, their communities and their world through project-based learning.

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For the Challenge, elementary, middle and high school students across the country were tasked with identifying an environmental issue in their schools, communities or the world at large and creating a replicable green solution under the guidance of a teacher or mentor using web-based curriculum tools powered by Discovery Education.

The winners were chosen from a select group of nearly 100 finalists and whittled down by a rigorous judging process. A panel of environmental advocates, science teachers and professors selected this year's winners based on each project's ability to creatively present a viable solution and engage their communities.

"These students are tackling the important environmental issues that we are all facing and creating viable solutions that can help affect change," said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, President of the Siemens Foundation. "The Siemens Foundation and its partners are so proud of the work we've seen this year and hope that ultimately these solutions help make the world a better place for this generation of students and the generations that follow."

In addition to several other prizes, the high school grand prize winning team will receive $50,000 in scholarship money to divide among team members and a chance to present their project at a prestigious venue. Each student on the middle school grand prize winning team will receive a $10,000 savings bond along with a Discovery Student Adventure trip to Costa Rica. Elementary school winners will be invited to a Discovery Education assembly focusing on sustainability, at which time a grant will be given to their schools.

High School Winners

Grand Prize Winners:

The Nanocrystals -- "Optimizing Solar Cells for Sustainable Use"
Rockdale Magnet for Science & Technology
Conyers, GA

Second Place Winners:

Ghost Crab Trap--"Ghost Crab Trap"
North Co Senior High School
Glen Burnie, MD

Third Place Winners:

DTEP Design Firm --"The HydroPod Project"
Skyline High School
Ann Arbor, Mich

Middle School Winners

Grand Prize Winners:

Trash Terminators -- "Zero Waste: iRecycle and iCompost"
Phillips Middle School
Chapel Hill, N.C.

Second Place Winners:

Project Reservoir -- "Project Reservoir – Mosquito Reduction Initiative"
Christa McAuliffe School 28
Jersey City, N.J.

Third Place Winners:

Flying Falcons "Every Drop Counts"
Fort Settlement Middle School
Sugar Land, Texas

Elementary School Winners Grades 3-5

Grand Prize Winners:

Tackling Trash with Tires -- "Tackling Trash with Tires"
Kelly Mill Elementary School
Cumming, GA

Second Place Winners:

CRS STLP -- "Paper Savers"
Charles Russell Elementary School
Ashland, KY

Third Place Winners:

From Garbage to Garden -- "From Garbage to Garden"
Riffenburgh Elementary School
Fort Collins, Colo

Elementary School Winners Grades K-2

Grand Prize Winners:

Riverside Elementary West – Gifted Grades 1 -- "Aqua Busters"
Riverside Elementary West School
Taylor, Penn

Second Place Winners:

Green Thumbs -- "Operation Green Thumb"
Lincoln Avenue Academy
Lakeland, Fla

Third Place Winners:

The Paper Savers -- "The Paper Savers"
Charter Oak International Academy
West Hartford, Conn

For additional details about prizes, visit:

• High School: http://www.wecanchange.com/high-school/about-challenge/prizes/
• Middle School: http://www.wecanchange.com/middle-school/about-challenge/prizes/
• Elementary School: http://www.wecanchange.com/elementary-school/about-challenge/prizes/

For more information on the Challenge, the winners and their projects, visit www.wecanchange.com.

About Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge

The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge (www.wecanchange.com) is a premier national sustainability challenge that empowers students in grades K-12 to develop and share environmental solutions that can help change the world. The Challenge is a collaborative effort of the Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, the College Board and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) to educate, empower and engage elementary, middle and high school students and teachers to become "Agents of Change" in improving their schools, communities and world. To date, more than 62,000 students have participated, creatively engaging their communities to find solutions to a local environmental issue or global energy challenge. All participants research their issue using scientific investigation and create a replicable green solution using web-based curriculum tools powered by Discovery Education. For more information, visit www.wecanchange.com.

About the Siemens Foundation

The Siemens Foundation provides more than $7 million annually in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Its signature programs include the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, and The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, which encourages K-12 students to develop innovative green solutions for environmental issues. In February 2010 the Siemens Foundation launched its newest initiative, The Siemens STEM Academy, a national STEM education program for teachers designed to support educators in their efforts to foster student achievement in these fields. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow's scientists and engineers. The Foundation's mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens' U.S. companies and its parent company, Siemens AG. For further information, visit www.siemens-foundation.org.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind.  Available in over half of all U.S. schools, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

SOURCE Discovery Education